Common Causes of Stockton Truck Accidents

Common Causes of Stockton Truck Crashes

The cause of a significant commercial truck accident can usually be classified into three groups: poor truck maintenance, truck driver negligence, or the inability of other motorists to maneuver around a big truck. Every trucking accident is different and has its own set of unique circumstances.

Below is a list of common causes of Stockton truck accidents:

Jackknifing Truck Collision—Many trucking accidents are related to braking or jackknifing. This type of accident occurs when the drive axle brakes lock up on a tractor-trailer. This type of braking event makes the trailer move in an uncontrolled manner. The trailer only stops after it forms a 90-degree angle with the tractor. During a jackknifing event, the truck driver loses control and sometimes may roll over. A jackknifing truck collision can be catastrophic and life-altering.

Whether the crash is caused by truck driver mistakes, malfunctioning brakes, lousy weather, or a blown tire, a jackknifing tractor-trailer can cause significant property damage, severe injuries, and even fatalities.

Truck Underride Collision – It happens every day. A passenger car crashes into and under the rear of a large tractor trailer. The taller structure of the trailer rips through the windshield tears the roof, and penetrates into the passenger compartment, causing severe to fatal injuries to the occupants of the car. In 1998, the government required rear underride guards to help prevent severe injuries and fatalities.

Watch a YouTube video showing truck underride collisions.

Distracted Truck Driving Collisions—Distracted truck driving collisions occur every day. Distracted driving causes the truck driver’s attention to be taken off the roadway. It takes a lot longer for an 80,000-lb. Truck to come to a stop than it does for an automobile.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. We are reminded to put the phone down while we drive. This may radically reduce severe injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving.

Follow this link for more truck driver mistakes.

Watch a YouTube video describing the events leading up to a horrific fatality involving an Arizona trucker and a police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

Brake Failure Trucking Accidents—These types of crashes can be avoided by properly installing and maintaining the brake system. A driver needs to be properly trained to inspect and apply the brakes properly. The heavier the large commercial truck, the more heat will be generated, thus raising the risk and incident of truck brake failure.

Watch a YouTube video showing a semi-truck smoking its brakes.

Excessive Speed and Reckless Trucking Accidents—Truck drivers who travel way too fast on our roadways pose a threat to innocent motorists every day.

Watch a YouTube video of a Grapevine truck driver who aggressively passes another truck driver traveling at 55 mph.

Many other types of truck-driving collisions are happening on our roadways across the country. Sometimes, truck parts can be defective. The trucking company and truck driver ensure that defective parts are correctly replaced.

Stockton Trucking Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton Trucking Accident Lawyer. If you or a family member has been seriously hurt in an accident with a large commercial truck, please call me at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. Or, call toll-free at (800) 404-5400. Only an experienced trucking injury lawyer can ensure you receive appropriate compensation for medical expenses, lost income and wages, future earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Visit my comprehensive personal injury website: www.autoaccident.com.

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